Things you will need:
- 5-7 pieces of play money for each person (paper money or coins)
- Fine-tipped markers
- Small chest or basket
As people are getting seated, hand out 5-7 pieces of play money to each person. Explain to them that we are going to be thinking of our treasures, and the play money is symbolic of those riches. Ask them to take a few minutes to ponder their riches and to write a different treasure on each piece of money that they have.
Say something like:
God has given us so much. When we think of all we have, we realize that it will take a whole lot more play money to cover it all. God is the giver of all good gifts and those gifts are what make us rich - no matter our earthly wealth of stocks, bonds, houses, and cars. We are rich.
Sometimes "wealth" can lead us to a place of complacency and self importance. It can corrupt and destroy.
Instead, as believers, our wealth humbles us and our attitude naturally becomes one of thankfulness. After all, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is just spreading the love. We do not deserve it now, nor could we ever. He simply gives it, and we accept it.
With great joy we accept the riches of our children, our faith, our hope, our homes, our church, our passion, our jobs. We accept it Lord. Because it comes from your hand, we accept these good gifts.
Now, let us take a few minutes to give thanks for our treasures. What I would like for you to do is to pray a short prayer of thanks for each of the things you wrote on your play money. Then place your play money in the treasure chest (on a cross or in a basket) as a symbol of your offering of thanks.
After you have allowed each person to pray a prayer of thanks, close by praying:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to Our God forever and forever. Amen!" Revelation 7:12
Leader: Allow the money and chest (basket) to stay at the center of your table or circle for the rest of your meeting. It will serve as a reminder of our riches in Christ. If you would like to continue this for a few weeks, simply provide more play money or even slips of paper so that your group members can write a new "treasure" for which they are thankful. Every week have them pray a thank-you prayer and place their money or paper in the chest (basket).
